DHANGADHI, April 17: After a disastrous start, national team skipper Paras Khadka-led Dhangadhi Team Chauraha clawed back in the Dhangadhi Premier League T20 Cricket Tournament securing a place in the playoff with a surprising six-wicket victory over Rupandehi Challengers on Monday.
Chauraha, which made a disappointing start to the tournament facing three straight defeats, secured a place in the playoff by the skin of its teeth as it finished fourth among the four teams in the playoff. It accumulated four points from five matches.
Chauraha was beaten by Biratnagar Kings, Kanchanpur Iconic and CYC Attariya in its first three matches of the tournament while it registered win over Kathmandu Icons in its fourth match.
Although Kanchanpur Iconic also has four points, Chauraha booked its place for the next round with the virtue of better net run rate.
Now Chauraha will take on the third-placed team Kathmandu Goldens on Wednesday in the playoff and the winner of the match will face the losing side among the top two teams Rupandehi Challengers and Biratnagar Kings in order to reach the final.
Chauraha packed Rupandehi Challengers for 91 runs for six wickets in 20 overs after an impressive performance by player-of-the-match Lalit Rajbahshi claimed four wickets giving away just five runs.
Rupandehi Challengers' openers Nurdhoj Sen (6) and Shankar Rana alongside Harishankar Shah (0) and Rajesh Pulami Magar (8) were dismissed in Lalit's deliveries. Prakash KC who came to bat at seventh number for Rupandehi Challengers stroked the highest 49 runs smashing four boundaries and three sixes facing 34 balls.
Chauraha's Sushan Bhari and Saurav Khanal claimed one wicket each.
In reply, Chauraha met the target in 11 overs losing just four wickets with the help of skipper Khadka's 42 runs. Khadka who came to bat at fourth number smashed seven boundaries and two sixes off 21 balls. Openers Anil Mandal and Raju Rijal built up a 21-run partnership for the first wicket. Amar Routela and Prithu Baskota contributed 13 and 15 runs respectively.
Rupandehi Challengers' Shahab Alam claimed two wickets take his tally to 14, the highest wicket taker the tournament. Similarly, Krishna Karki and Durgesh Gupta took one wicket each for the losing side.
Meanwhile, the first qualifier match between the league's top two teams Rupandehi Challengers and Biratnagar Kings will be played on Wednesday.
Attariya secures playoff spot; Kathmandu, Chauraha, Mahendranag...
